Trump: Bush probably worst U.S. president

Businessman and “Apprentice” television star Donald Trump blasted President George Bush today, calling him “probably the worst president in the history of the United States,” and blaming his 2004 victory on the Democrat ticket.

Appearing on CNN’s “Situation Room,” Trump was asked by host Wolfe Blitzer his opinion of Democrat presidential candidate John Edwards.

“I don’t know him,” Trump answered. “People like him. I know people that like him very much, but I really don’t know him.”

Trump went on to say that Edward’s experience as John Kerry’s 2004 running mate was a negative in his estimation.

“Well, I think that’s a huge negative, because that was a shame that that race was lost, because look what we have right now,” Trump said. “It’s a disaster. So, you know, I would probably be inclined not to like him on the basis that he lost an election that should have been won. That election should have been won.”

Trump noted that the blame fell on Kerry as well.

“He’s a friend of mine. But I’m so upset that he blew it,” he said.

“I think Bush is probably the worst president in the history of the United States. And I just don’t understand how they could have lost that election.”

Asked about Hillary Clinton, Trump praised the former first lady, saying he thought she was ready to be commander-in-chief.

She’s “very talented, very smart. She’s a friend of mine, so I’m a little bit prejudiced,” he said “She’s a very, very capable person and I think she’ll probably be the nominee. We’ll see, but I think she’ll probably be the nominee.”

Bob Shrum, Kerry’s top strategist in 2004, has revealed in his new book that Clinton was on a list of possible running mates, but she was quickly ruled out because quiet polling found she was too polarizing.

The entire transcript of Trump’s interview with Blitzer can be read here